Xbox players can play 2024 FPS games for free, no Xbox Game Pass sub needed

Xbox users may want to check out the multiplayer first-person shooter called Blind firebecause it recently became free to play. Developed by Double Eleven, Blind fire originally launched in October 2024 as an Early Access title on Xbox, PlayStation and PC via Steam and Epic Games.

The game premise i Blind fire slightly different from most standard first-person shooters. Players must strategically use light, as the battle arenas are mostly pitch black. The muzzle flash from each shot can reveal a player's position, forcing them to think twice before pulling the trigger.

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Blindfire has gone free to play

Starting May 5, 2026, Xbox Series X and S players can download Blind fire free without an active Game Pass subscription. This is not a limited-time promotion, as developer Double Eleven has moved the game from its original $9 USD pricing to a free-to-play model. Blind fire has also become free-to-play on the PlayStation Store, although the Steam and Epic Games Store versions still require a $9 purchase at the time of writing. However, the game's Steam listing notes that it is expected to be “free” starting May 5.

Balance the critics' averages

Light (6) Medium (8) Hard (10)

Developer Double Eleven is known for working with some of the gaming industry's biggest studios, including Rockstar Games, to help bring their titles to additional platforms, particularly PC. But its own multiplayer game, Blind firehas not seen the level of success some might have expected given that track record. On Steam, the game currently has “Mixed” reviews, with a maximum concurrent player count of just 77, according to SteamDB. Feedback on other platforms has also been lukewarm, too Blind fire average 2.5 out of 5 points on Microsoft Store.

The developer has not revealed why Blind fire joins the list of free-to-play games on consoles and PC. However, one possible explanation is that the game is trying to reach a larger player base. One of the most common complaints about the game is that its servers are “dead”, with very few players online and long match queue times. By walking free, Blind fire removes the barrier to entry and effectively opens the door for fans of unique FPS games to try it out and decide if it's worth keeping in their library.

GameRant Quiz

Easy (15s) Medium (10s) Hard (5s)

Xbox players who want to jump in Blind fires servers may be interested to know that the game supports cross-platform play, with matches allowing up to eight players. Xbox Store page for Blind fire doesn't mention a Game Pass requirement for online play, while the PlayStation Store specifically says “PS Plus required for online play.” That's something players might want to keep in mind before downloading the game. Blind fire is also still in Early Access, and developer Double Eleven has yet to reveal its roadmap for 2026.